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Gawker's Ryan Tate just published what he says "a source with knowledge of Facebook's finances" tell him are…Facebook's finances.

The numbers look a little light.

Facebook was supposed to generate about $4 billion in revenue this year and make $2 billion in EBITDA.

Through three quarters, Facebook's revenues – according to this source – only came in at $2.5 billion.

That means unless Facebook has a very big, $1.5 billion fourth quarter it will miss expectations. Facebook is growing very fast and $1.5 billion is definitely a possibility, but it isn't a lock: $1.5 billion is about 80% higher than the $830 million Facebook generated on average over the year's first three quarters.

Again, it will take a big fourth quarter – $1 billion in profits! – for Facebook to meet expectations sources set earlier this year.

HERE IS WHAT IS CLEAR: Facebook is not blowing away the numbers that leaked at the beginning of 2011. That in itself feels like a disappointment. The company is NOT going through a surprising run of growth. It's also worth pointing out that Facebook still continues to trail the pace set by Google during its first seven years as a company.

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Keep in mind, most retailers generate roughly 60% of their revenue from 4th qtr aka holiday madness... despite Facebook not being a retailer, I'm pretty sure pulling off a billion plus in rev is entirely feasible. I'd be interested to know how much of an impact / influence Facebook had on retail sales during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. I wouldn't purchase their stock until I understood what type of "Oprah" effect they actually have... relying on the Farmvilles of the world isn't enough.